Posted May 4, 2023

There are things in life we never forget. We struggle to understand a problem and suddenly the mental light bulb turns on. You’ve just had an AH-HA moment! Maybe you said it out loud – maybe just to yourself, but it will stick for the rest of your life. It sticks because you put the pieces together, you figured it out, you own that discovery.

Someone just telling you the answer isn’t the same. You didn’t have to work it through – it’s their discovery. Chances are you will forget it. That’s how it is with much of school. The teacher or book passes on their knowledge. You memorize it for the test and then let it go – you never owned it.

Maybe the above paragraph helped you understand what is happening in your life. Think about what sticks for you. What were your AH-HA moments?

If you get straight “A”s in school there is a tendency to think you should be a teacher. So we have schools full of teachers who think that learning is sharing your knowledge with kids. But if you aren’t a great student (good at memorizing), it’s a struggle. Memorization stinks! “I’ll just try to figure out what the teacher wants to hear so I can get a passing grade”.

But when a real world job comes, nobody is sitting in rows of desks with the boss lecturing you. You’re sitting around a conference table, conferencing – collaborating. It’s about a team working together to achieve a big answer. Your A-plus doesn’t matter. Can you accurately and persuasively share your perspective? Can you critically think it through? Can you come up with new approaches that take the game to another level? Can I handle criticism? Does the team value you not because you’re cute or handsome, but because you truly add value?

In today’s world, facts can be had with a few keystrokes. The volume of facts and “stuff” is expanding exponentially. Understanding how to work with “stuff” is the real power. Critical thinking, discernment and common sense are the real skills. Do you understand what is propaganda versus truth? Can you see past the BS?

If your kids aren't being taught these skills, then it is just entertainment or babysitting. Your kids need you to tease them into discovering the world that is being created. Walk away from the book approach.

And here’s the crunch. – KIDS ARE GENERALLY MORE STRESSED THAN MOST ADULTS!

They need to simplify their life so they have time to actually think and discern. Throw out all the toys that are broken or have missing parts. Gather up all the rest and box them up except for 6 of their choice. Do the same with books/music. Do the same with clothes. Cancel all after school activities. Turn off the TV and computers and enjoy the quiet.

Don’t talk politics or religion. They need you to focus on them and be available. It will also de-stress your life. Childhood – young or older – is a time of discovery – at their pace, on their interest level.

They will be bored! Expect it. They’ve been wrapped up in entertainment their whole life. Give it a day and a half. Listen to their complaints, comfort them – it’s a withdrawal. Then (in desperation perhaps) their own creativity will kick in. The discovery process has begun.

It is a challenge. Play is the most powerful way to learn – and fun too. As you free-play, you have to figure things out. That’s where the AH-HA moments come from that you will always remember!

That’s what good play is all about.

No directions, nobody telling you that
“you can’t do it that way”.

It’s pure discovery!